S/O: TTC naturally at 45+ UPDATE post #15

[lovbeingamommy]

S/O to the 40+ TTC thread.

I just turned 45 and we've been actively TTC #2 for a few months now and, well, is there anyone else out there

Sometimes I feel so alone and the statistics are making me feel even worse. Each night before I go to bed I search for 45 plus sites hoping to find some magical fertility formula or like-minded women hoping and trying for the same, but I usually end up discouraged. Forty-five seems to be the dreaded "your times up" for fertility age and it just plain stinks ! It's not up and there's always a chance and what we think and do all make a difference in helping or hurting our fertility. That's why I am starting this s/o thread because we need to encourage each other in all ways possible .

We can't really afford to go an alternative route and with the exception of possibly doing a few tests, natural is all we have.

Here's a starter list of what I'm doing and what our next steps are:

-working with an ND to develop a plan of action
-progesterone trouches 2x a day from CD 16-27 (WIP natural progesterone)
-thyroid supplementation T3/T4 (formulated based on my lab tests)
-vitamin D 10,000IU/day (based on sub-optimal lab tests)
-Prenatals
-Fish Oil 4000mg/day (Spectrum or Carlson's brand)
-chiropractic weekly
-relaxation/meditation
-daily exercise to lose wt. (currently I'm 209 should be 160)
-starting acupuncture mid Feb.
-drinking 4+ cups green tea and RRL daily
-eating organics 80% of time

thinking about adding: alkagreens plus, wheatgrass, add'tl B vitamins
thinking about buying: natural-fertility-prescription.com e-book
thinking about these tests: Antral follicle count u/s, FSH test CD3, DH sperm analysis-only since dh takes meds since his stroke at 42

Let's help/support each other What do you think of my plan? I love constructive criticism...really. What's your plan?

I'll start up and maintain a front page if there's enough of us out there.

TIA - Kate

[80'smum]

HI KATE!! Although I am not 45, (i'm 39....close though!) I just wanted to give you a big cyber hug and wish you lots of luck!!! I just found out a friend is pregnant and 44, and I think it is great! Try not to look at the "statistics" any more. Every woman is different. If you live a healthy lifestyle, and you have researched and are doing everything naturally possible, then - my best advice is just to have fun doing the bd! I would rather focus on fun new ways to make our bd'ing exciting and new rather than what any statistic says we should do! And remember, that IS excercise!! Anyway, I have nothing else to offer you except a big fat good luck! I think it is great you want to have children.....no matter your age!

[beachlover]

Hi there Kate.

I'm "only" 43.5, but also wanted to send you a hug.

Are you charting? Do you know for sure you are ovulating. I think deciding to do the FSH test is double edged. It can help you know if you are still "fertile", but it can also just depress you, if the results are not good.

The truth is the results of that test, are not ultimately going to be what decides if you end up pregnant or not. Even with high FSH, some women conceive when hormone levels suddenly change for a month and that one egg matures and pops out.

I think your plan to eat healthy, lose some weight etc. is wonderful. So important at our age.

Is your LP good and long. Some take B6 or B complex. There is vitex and maca that some women swear by, but it's not for me. Or there is soy to try to help you mature a follicle.

Anyways, just wanted to wish good luck. I think the 40+ thread is full of a good mix of us, and lots of support, so be sure to stick around there too.

[lovbeingamommy]

Originally Posted by beachlover

Are you charting? Do you know for sure you are ovulating. I think deciding to do the FSH test is double edged. It can help you know if you are still "fertile", but it can also just depress you, if the results are not good.

Not officially charting yet. My cycle is regular at 28-29 day and I have cm, but apparently that doesn't insure that you are o'ing from what I've been able to tell. So I am starting to chart this month to make sure I see the shift in temp for three sustained days. thanks beachlover

[lovestolearn]

I'm here--47 and open to conceiving naturally! (Also on the "Over 40" thread) I don't really have a "plan" as such--I know that relaxing and using my imagination to focus on "feeling pregnant" are going to help me as much as the more "physical" things I am doing. Law of Attraction in action, you know?!

That said, this is my lifestyle:
Slow/Low carb diet- 6 out 7 days a week (about 60 gm carb/day)
99% Organic/Grass-fed meat/Raw milk cheese/Lots of deep green leafy veg/legumes
Daily exercise (walk for an hour +)
SLOW weight training 2 x /week to keep up my strength and metabolism
No caffeine, except for occasional chocolate!
Progesterone cream 2 x/day (40-60 mg) after O (CD 16-26)
2000 IU Vit D
Omega 3
Cal/Mag/Zinc
B complex (incl folic acid)
Vit C

I'm about 130, so maybe 8 pounds over my "ideal weight" and feeling fine about it...

Read Dr. John Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell you about Menopause." was really helpful and encouraging for me--way too many of us may be dealing with estrogen dominance that is affecting our fertility.

If I don't get pregnant this cycle, my husband will have a sperm analysis--and that's probably as far as we will go with testing. My FSH was fine a couple of years ago, I have regular 29-30 day cycles and though I don't temp (too stressful!), my CM and saliva ferning are great and right on target, timing-wise...

[lovestolearn]

If you haven't seen this already, check it out:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/...on-camera.html

The woman, whose ovulation is pictured, is 45 years old!

BTW...I have spent lots of time on all the websites you mentioned and now that I've BTDT, it's time for me to relax and KNOW that I will be pregnant/give birth this year.

[lovestolearn]

Oh, and I'm an EFT Practitioner (www.emofree.com), so I've been doing EFT to clear any beliefs I may have that could get in the way of conceiving. I definitely don't feel "too old" anymore!

[lovestolearn]

Bumping!

[lovbeingamommy]

Originally Posted by lovestolearn

If I don't get pregnant this cycle, my husband will have a sperm analysis--and that's probably as far as we will go with testing. My FSH was fine a couple of years ago, I have regular 29-30 day cycles and though I don't temp (too stressful!), my CM and saliva ferning are great and right on target, timing-wise...

This is exactly what I was thinking of doing too. Do you know if a gen. pract. can order this or do you need to go to a fertility doc? I was hoping it was just a simple lab test that could be done quick and easy. My FSH, CM, cycles 28-29 have all been great. So I just have the weight to work on, but DH is on several meds for hbp and chol.

I'm thinking of doing EFT - I need to find someone in my area that could do it. I tried the at-home stuff I found on mercola.com and it doesn't seem to work. I guess I need a professional instead.

[nolonger]

I just turned 45. I'm not officially TC yet, but my donor hasn't given up on me and we're going to try to make it happen next month.

Since I'm not in a relationship, I guess using AI isn't "naturally", but I am not interested in using an egg donor or any sort of hormonal help that would compromise my nursing relationship with my 2 year old.

Mostly I see a lot of doom and gloom online, but my body is in good shape, the CM issues I had when I was TTC ds seem to have resolved themselves, and perhaps all these years of "eating weird" and otherwise taking better care of my body than most Americans is paying off.

I'm trying to take an "it will happen if it is meant to be" attitude and not get too obsessed.

[lovestolearn]

Do you know if a gen. pract. can order this (sperm analysis) or do you need to go to a fertility doc? I was hoping it was just a simple lab test that could be done quick and easy.

My Husband's Naturopath said he could order it, so I imagine a GP could do the same. If there is a LabCorp lab nearby or other labs that offer direct-to-patients blood tests, you may be able to find one that als does a full semen analysis.
Some general info:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders...semen/faq.html

And if you want to do it yourself (Only sperm count and motility):
http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/spermtest.html
http://www.fertilityformen.com/produ...FSgtawodWRu4Xg

I'm thinking of doing EFT - I need to find someone in my area that could do it.

I work a lot with folks over the phone and via Skype--as do many other EFT practitioners, so don't worry if you can't find someone near you--just find someone with whom you feel comfortable!

[lovbeingamommy]

lovestolearn thank you so much for the info above. We are definitely going to do the semen analysis asap. Officially, we're in the tww and will hopefully be lucky this time . It's really only the second month we've been ttc since dh has been on the new med that doesn't affect fertility. I can't believe his gp didn't even know that his one bp med blocked the sperm from being able to penetrate an egg - it was a calcium channel blocker. I had to research it on my own and then double check with a pharmacist at least when the med is stopped the issue is quickly resolved

[purplefish]

DHs mum was 46 when she him without any fertility treatment / intervention so it does happen.

[lovestolearn]

Darn that Auntie Flo!

AF seems to have come early this month (CD27!) I usually have 29-30 day cycles, so this is a bit strange...I've never been early before. Wondering if the Progesterone is activating more estrogen receptors and creating this wonkiness in my cycle. Have only been on it for 6 weeks...

Time to get my DH in for a sperm analysis. Anyone know how much they cost at a GP?

[lovbeingamommy]

just wanted to post an update here.

I found out this morning that I.AM.PREGNANT!! It's about 4weeks today and I'm going to the OB tomorrow and then the naturopath next week. I'm trying to be calm and not tell many people because I know the m/c rate is high, but the good thing is a I am having a lot of early pregnancy signs like painful breasts, peeing a lot, mild headaches, and fatique. I also really enjoyed that pickle I just ate a little too much

[finnegansmom]

Originally Posted by lovbeingamommy

just wanted to post an update here.

I found out this morning that I.AM.PREGNANT!! It's about 4weeks today and I'm going to the OB tomorrow and then the naturopath next week. I'm trying to be calm and not tell many people because I know the m/c rate is high, but the good thing is a I am having a lot of early pregnancy signs like painful breasts, peeing a lot, mild headaches, and fatique. I also really enjoyed that pickle I just ate a little too much

Congrats to you!!!! I'm wishing you tons of sticky baby dust!

[enigo]

congratulations!!!!!!!

[nolonger]

The statistics don't matter, what matters is you and your baby! I'm so happy for you!

afm, I'm going ahead with an insem this cycle and planning on waiting a ridiculously long time to test and avoiding all negativity.

[CLH_X3]

Congratulations!!

[MamaFern]

congrats mama!